Christmas at the Macri's

37 years ago my dad took this picture with his newborn son Mike and a mere...

HOLY CRAP WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?  That's just wrong. Okay we started the last blog page kind of sappy. Maybe it's time for a different tone.


Now before we get to Christmas, December 19th was my birthday. And because this is all about me, I get to tell you about the best birthday gift I've ever received. On the day I turned 39, we officially adopted our daughter.

On my 39th birthday, JeongMee Oh became officially know as Avianna JeongMee Macri. There was very little pomp or celebration. In fact, the celebration lunch was a Carl's Jr. kids meal. (Avi's first fast food) I think we already feel like a family. This just made the paperwork official. On a side note, it was the judge's last day and he chose to do adoptions because that was his favorite thing. He ended his career with us, we began our family with him.

Christmas was spent doing lots of fun activities together. We decorated cookies. Avi was an expert cookie decorator. In fact, her new favorite word (aside from no) is now cookie.

Avi's cookie creation.

Avi's job, make cookies. Dad's job, eat cookies. 

We had a great time thanks to Ann's cookie recipe
and the group's creativity. 

  We really didn't get Avi very many gifts. In fact, there were only a couple of things we bought. What we didn't expect were so many wonderful gifts from friends and family. They filled the area under the tree. It was so nice to have so many people care enough to be part of Avi's Christmas.

With this Christmas, Avi is beginning her cycling career. 

Mike and I wrapped Christmas gifts.
And I'm pretty sure there's no way she could have guessed what we got her. 

She has a love/hate relationship with her bike right now.
She hasn't quite figured out balance yet. 

We had my mom and dad out as well as my brother and sister in law. Grandpa and grandpa were lots of fun and I'm so glad they got to see Avi's first Christmas. It's a fun dynamic to have family around. It's great that Avi has gotten to know them all. She not only knows the words grandma, grandpa, uncle Mike and Aunt Kate. She knows who these people are and she likes all of them.

Having Avi around brings out the child in all of us. 

Even Avi got into the act.

And after everyone left and we we took Avi to see the 

lights at the Botanic gardens with Amy, Judd and Juliana. 

Month 5 home is beginning now. Avi is talking a lot more, sleeping a lot more, and firmly engrained in all our hearts. It's funny how much love this little person has brought with her.
We've had 5 nights of good sleep. I don't know if it's official yet, but I think we may be getting into the land of good sleep. Hopefully that will continue. Life is getting easier each week and changing every day.
I'd say we're finally settling in to being a family.